A longtime mainstay of the historic South Main district, the RiverArtsFest this year will move from Main Street to Riverside Drive, due to the construction and road closures now underway near Central Station.

Billed by organizers as "the largest fine arts festival in the Mid-South," the weekend "street celebration" of music, food, exhibited artwork and hands-on arts activities is set to take place Oct. 27-28 on Riverside, between Jefferson and Beale.

A highlight of this 12th annual festival likely will be Saturday night's lighting of the iconic "M" of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, to take place after 5 p.m., when admission is free. The event marks the culmination of the Mighty Lights organization's $14 million project to re-illuminate the Mississippi River span with a high-tech LED lighting system.

According to organizers, more than 180 artists will participate in the festival's "artist market." Musical genres on the festival's stages will include blues, bluegrass, funk, soul, gospel, Americana, classical and reggae. About 25,000 people are expected to attend.

Admission is $5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28, with free admission continuing until 9 p.m. Oct. 27. Children 10 and under are admitted free.